Tart Cherry Extract is an extract with very interesting beneficial properties that derives from a particular form of sour cherry/cherry with a rather light colouring, of the species "Montmorency cherry", which grows or is cultivated in some parts of the world.

The potential benefits of this extract stem from the numerous phytochemicals found in this "berry".

The first benefit to emerge was related to the treatment of gout , being able to lower uric acid levels, up to the point of having a clinical literature that spans several other possible application scenarios in the nutraceutical field.

All this is possible thanks to a high concentration of polyphenols and anthocyanins , which has favored the interest in deepening their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, neuroprotective Energy, as well as promoting a more restful sleep .

The data that emerge demonstrates several valuable potential beneficial effects on health also in terms of performance thanks, in particular, to the "anthocyanins", which characterize the light red pigment of the skin.

Anthocyanins are also present in different types of berries, such as raspberries and blueberries, or even in apples, or grapes. But this "powerful" type is an exclusive component of the Montmorency sour cherry extract (cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, peonidin) which are also capable of acting in synergy with other flavonoids it contains (quercetin , chlorogenic acid, kaempferol) and enhance its effects.

The first characteristic of these anthocyanins is that of being powerful antioxidants which, in addition to promoting cellular health in general, are potential elements for the maintenance of heart health , with neuroprotective effects , whose synergistic anti-inflammatory action has shown to be a new supplement to favor of faster recovery of muscle function after intense physical exercise, as well as knowing how to promote performance and help produce more endogenous melatonin (therefore also effective in improving sleep quality, another fundamental element for the recovery of an athlete).

In recent years, in favor of TartCherry Extract there are many data that have emerged from specific research on athletes, regarding the fact that they can be a real natural aid to accelerate the recovery processes, strength and muscle function after muscle activity , intervening in alleviating post-exercise pain, in osteo-articular pain and stiffness, favored by its anti-inflammatory effect which is added to the antioxidant effect.

Furthermore, let's not forget that the extract of this "special" black cherry intervenes not only on the recovery processes, but also directly on the prolongation of performance and on promoting greater blood flow to the muscles, improving oxygenation, nourishment and removal . of the acid waste generated by physical exercise.

Scientific references

Schumacher HR, Pullman-Mooar S, Gupta SR, Dinnella JE, Kim R, McHugh MP. Randomized double-blind crossover study of the efficacy of a tart cherry juice blend in treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2013 Aug;21(8):1035-41. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2013.05.009. Epub 2013 May 31. PMID: 23727631.

Kim DO, Heo HJ, Kim YJ, Yang HS, Lee CY. Sweet and sour cherry phenolics and their protective effects on neuronal cells. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Dec 28;53(26):9921-7. doi: 10.1021/jf0518599. PMID: 16366675.

Kent K, Charlton K, Roodenrys S, Batterham M, Potter J, Traynor V, Gilbert H, Morgan O, Richards R. Consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice for 12 weeks improves memory and cognition in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia. Eur J Nutr. 2017 Feb;56(1):333-341. doi: 10.1007/s00394-015-1083-y. Epub 2015 Oct 19. PMID: 26482148.

Dimitriou L, Hill JA, Jehnali A, Dunbar J, Brouner J, McHugh MP, Howatson G. Influence of a montmorency cherry juice blend on indices of exercise-induced stress and upper respiratory tract symptoms following marathon running--a pilot investigation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 May 11;12:22. doi: 10.1186/s12970-015-0085-8. PMID: 25983669; PMCID: PMC4432790.

Bell PG, Stevenson E, Davison GW, Howatson G. The Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate Supplementation on Recovery Following Prolonged, Intermittent Exercise. Nutrients. 2016 Jul 22;8(7):441. doi: 10.3390/nu8070441. PMID: 27455316; PMCID: PMC4963917.

Brown MA, Stevenson EJ, Howatson G. Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) supplementation accelerates recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in females. Eur J Sport Sci. 2019 Feb;19(1):95-102. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1502360. Epub 2018 Jul 28. PMID: 30058460.

Kuehl KS, Perrier ET, Elliot DL, Chesnutt JC. Efficacy of tart cherry juice in reducing muscle pain during running: a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2010 May 7;7:17. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-7-17. PMID: 20459662; PMCID: PMC2874510.

Howatson G, McHugh MP, Hill JA, Brouner J, Jewell AP, van Someren KA, Shave RE, Howatson SA. Influence of tart cherry juice on indices of recovery following marathon running. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010 Dec;20(6):843-52. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01005.x. PMID: 19883392.

Levers K, Dalton R, Galvan E, O'Connor A, Goodenough C, Simbo S, Mertens-Talcott SU, Rasmussen C, Greenwood M, Riechman S, Crouse S, Kreider RB. Effects of powdered Montmorency tart cherry supplementation on acute endurance exercise performance in aerobically trained individuals. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2016 May 26;13:22. doi: 10.1186/s12970-016-0133-z. PMID: 27231439; PMCID: PMC4880859.

Levers K, Dalton R, Galvan E, Goodenough C, O'Connor A, Simbo S, Barringer N, Mertens-Talcott SU, Rasmussen C, Greenwood M, Riechman S, Crouse S, Kreider RB. Effects of powdered Montmorency tart cherry supplementation on an acute bout of intense lower body strength exercise in resistance trained males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Nov 16;12:41. doi: 10.1186/s12970-015-0102-y. PMID: 26578852; PMCID: PMC4647629.

Bowtell JL, Sumners DP, Dyer A, Fox P, Mileva KN. Montmorency cherry juice reduces muscle damage caused by intensive strength exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011 Aug;43(8):1544-51. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31820e5adc. PMID: 21233776.

Howatson G, Bell PG, Tallent J, Middleton B, McHugh MP, Ellis J. Effect of tart cherry juice (Prunus cerasus) on melatonin levels and enhanced sleep quality. Eur J Nutr. 2012 Dec;51(8):909-16. doi: 10.1007/s00394-011-0263-7. Epub 2011 Oct 30. PMID: 22038497.

Pigeon WR, Carr M, Gorman C, Perlis ML. Effects of a tart cherry juice beverage on the sleep of older adults with insomnia: a pilot study. J Med Food. 2010 Jun;13(3):579-83. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2009.0096. PMID: 20438325; PMCID: PMC3133468.